CONSTITUTION WALL

Constitution Wall

Towering six stories over the courtyard, Constitution Wall is Sacramento's largest public art piece and inspires reflection on the freedoms guaranteed to all Californians. Words taken from the state’s Constitution are scuplted into the wall, each chosen for its enduring meaning.

Depending on the angle of the light, different words leap forward. In the early morning or late afternoon, the giant word “RIGHTS,” the underlying theme of the piece, stands out, while at midday other “rights,” indicated by words such as “redress” and “assemble,” are more apparent.

The words are punctuated by colors drawn from California’s own palette of forest, ocean, and desert hues.

Because of metal oxides embedded in the surface, the colors change over time, ensuring that, like the Constitution itself, the Wall is constantly evolving.

The Wall was designed by artists Mike Mandel, Larry Sultan and Paul Kos, and built in collaboration with Frederick Meiswinkel Inc. and Esherick, Homsey, Dodge & Davis. The sculpture was funded in part by the California Arts Council’s Art in Public Buildings program.